Newt and the nose

A photo by staff photographer Nathan Gray, showing Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, squeezing the nose of Bonnie Ellison, 78, of Easley, S.C. while shaking hands with supporters at Mutt's Barbeque in Easley, S.C. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, was seen around the world as many news organizations used the photo posted on the Associated Press photostream. Ellison talked about the cold day and getting to meet Gingrich.

Bonnie Ellison, 78, of Easley, stands on her back porch overlooking Smithfields Country Club eighth hole on the golf course. Ellison recalls visiting Mutt's Barbecue in Easley to see Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, January 18.

Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, near his wife Callista Gingrich, right, answers why he touched the nose of Barbara Ellison, 78, of Easley at a recent campaign stop, during his visit Saturday at the Chick-Fil-A on Clemson Boulevard in Anderson. Gingrich said the Independent-Mail was the first to ask the question about the popular photograph by staff photographer Nathan Gray.

Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, pinches the nose of Bonnie Ellison, 78, of Easley, S.C. while shaking hands with supporters at Mutt's Barbeque in Easley, S.C. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. The photo was shared with the Associated Press photostream, and newspapers, websites, and blogs have used the photograph around the world.

Bonnie Ellison, 78, of Easley, stands on her back porch overlooking Smithfields Country Club eighth hole on the golf course. Ellison recalls visiting Mutt's Barbecue in Easley to see Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, January 18. Ellison said she hopes he could come back to Easley to play golf on the course.

Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich gives a thumbs up, Saturday afternoon, as he begins to speak at a Chick-Fil-A in Anderson. Gingrich thanked people for their support by voting and urged them to contact friends by internet or phone in Florida as the next Republican primary is there.

Bonnie Ellison, 78, of Easley, stands on her back porch overlooking Smithfields Country Club eighth hole on the golf course. Ellison recalls visiting Mutt's Barbecue in Easley to see Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, January 18.